STEVEN MANN, Cape Town | Friday
A MAN police say is responsible for a campaign of terror against bus drivers and commuters in Cape Town’s ongoing transport war has been convicted on three murder charges in a trial shrouded in secrecy.
In a highly unusual step, the Cape High Court held an in-camera trial for the man who police believe was a hired gun for taxi operators out to protect their routes, and Judge Nathan Erasmus ordered that his name not be disclosed.
Local media reported the man – a former soldier and ANC operative – had pleaded guilty to the charges levelled against him and would be sentenced on September 4.
Western Cape police commissioner Lennit Max told a media briefing the man had been convicted for murdering a bus driver and two commuters. He was also found guilty on 32 charges of attempted murder charges and for illegally possessing a rifle, ammunition and a hand grenade.
“Since the arrest we have experienced calmness in the taxi and bus violence,” Max said.
The man was reportedly paid between R50 and R350 per killing by taxi operators.
Seven people have been killed since Cape Town’s transport war erupted in late March. Police recently arrested eight people they believed to be involved, but five of the cases have since been withdrawn.
Golden Arrow general manager Hannes Grebe said the conviction of the man regarding the shooting attacks, including the killing of a bus driver and two passengers, coupled to the arrest on Thursday morning of two taxi owners named by the arrested man, was a significant breakthrough.
“It will go a long way towards restoring the faith of the general public in the police services,” Grebe said.
“It should also go a long way towards restoring the confidence of our drivers and our passengers and we trust that the company will now be able to run normal bus services without fear of further attacks.”